NO ACCIDENT

US, 2023, 97 minutes, Colour.

Directed by Kristi Jacobson.

This is a significant documentary for American audiences. It is also significant for non-American audiences who observe the ideological conflicts, the action of the white supremacists, protests against them, the rally in Charlottesville 2017, the violence, interest charging protesters and killing one. Famously, the day after the rally and the death, President Trump from made a speech stating that there were good people on each side, leading to criticisms in his first year of his presidency.

Two lawyers with strong reputations, Robbie Kaplan and Karen Dunn began a lawsuit against 17 L of the white supremacists, charging them with conspiracy to incite violence. And they contacted 12 plaintiffs, many injured during the rally.

This is a documentary by Kristi Jacobson who has quite a strong portfolio of documentary films and television episodes. And filming began with the proceedings inaugurated in 2017. Covered the work of the two lawyers, the recruiting associates, there is legal aspects in proceeding with the case. There are also interviews with the plaintiffs telling their stories as well is a great deal of footage from Charlottesville itself.

There are extensive interviews with the defendants, especially filmed during the D positions, their defence, discounting all charges – but some of them quite violent in their responses.

The case progressed somewhat slowly, and then was held up considerably by Covid and locked down, finally coming to the courts in October 2021.

While the film takes us behind the scenes of preparation for the case, with strong interviews from those concerned, there is a great deal of footage from the case itself, the questioning of the plaintiffs and the emotional effect on them, but, significantly, the interviews with the defendants. A lot of research was done for documentation about their careers, their intentions. However, so much of the evidence came from emails, texts, recorded phone calls, video material, some very strong and expressions of insight into violence.

There is some suspense as the jury goes out that all defendants were found guilty. The court also imposed considerable fines – though these were later reduced and the defendants have appealed.

It is important to have this kind of material within the space of a documentary, available for the wide audience, an opportunity to see the faces of the white supremacist movement and, especially, listening to them speak with their bigotry, their theories about Jews and other races replacing the whites, the misogyny, and the absolute self-confidence and self-righteousness. Especially Richard B.Spencer who concludes one speech with “Hail, Trump”.